Harry Truman
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.
The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri . His wife had inherited the house from her mother and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.
When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year.. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year..
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There were no Secret Service following them.
When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."
Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."
As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.
Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale. (sic. Illinois )
Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!
I say dig him up and clone him!!
21 comments:
He was a Democrat, you know. You don't want to upset the populace around here with suggestions of a Democrat's greatness...
8:47
So was JFK, but if he were president today and had not changed his views he would be a republican. JFK was for a strong military, and low taxes.
I think the point of the post is that the old time democrats were different from the dems of today like Obama, Pelosi,and Reed. They were about keeping America strong and Americans self reliant. They cared more about America that they cared about the next election.
I think the reason so many people left the dem. party over the years is because they no longer can identify with all the bashing of America like Obam does every time he goes overseas.
I agree with your sentiment. They were also both for nationalized health care ;-)
Com'on Joe. That was a different place in time with different issues going on! Give it a rest.
8:47 and 8:56, am I wrong in my conclusion that this piece is a critique of modern politicians,both Dem. and Rep., in general? Neither party is squeaky clean or the embodiment of satan. Can we have one discussion that hits straight to the ills of our political system without it crumbling into the same old interparty brawl that maintains the status quo.
Harry Truman's first legislative push after the Japanese declared surrender was for nationalized health care, including a national health insurance plan. Go and read "Truman" by David McCullough. It details his effort to try and get universal health care.
What say you about Truman NOW, Joe?
Duck, you democrats are desperate.
Joe, how is a statement of factual history that counters your argument desperate? You're the one that wants to exhume Harry Truman and clone him. I"m just pointing out his history on the salient topic of the day. I don't want to go all "Re-animator" on JFK or anyone...
Duck, YOU brought up healthcare. YOU also missed the point of the Post. Then again, that doesn't surprise me one bit. Most democrats would.
You're claiming Truman as your idea of what a President should do. I'm pointing out what his views and actions were about the issue that has most consumed your blog in the past month. And when your new idol's views are proven to be in direct contrast to yours, I am the one who doesn't understand? That's rather convenient logic there, Joe.
Duck, maybe we'll just have to agree to disagree. I see it more as your "convenient way" of turning things around in support of Obamamomma.
Anyhow, I'm too busy to debate this, COMRAD.
Joe, we dont agree often, but we do here. We need to find a President that will look at America first adn defense our interests. No, I do not expect that everything he/she does will be correct, but I would understand if he does it for the right reasons. This goof we have in "office" now is anything but American. I am starting to see more and more sheeple stand up and actually open their eyes to what is happening in America right now.
To make this simple for some of the waterfowl out there...I dont care about Dems or Repub, Horse or Ass, Libs or Consvs...I just want a red-blooded American as POTUS. One that will defend her with his strong American heart.
dogg
How is Obama so unamerican? And where do Rep. get off thinking that they are God's gift to this country? Where do they get this idea that conservatives are the only ones who truly love this country? Since when did we become a country where if my views differ from yours, then I must be a foreign traitor? That doesn't sound like democracy to me.
I don't agree with everything Pres. Obama has done or plans to do. But I believe he is working towards what he sees as the best interest of the country, just as Bush, Clinton, Bush Sr., and the rest of their predecessors did.
The Pres. is taking the fight to the terrorist havens in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and you complain. He's doing his best to get our boys home from Iraq (the war of choice) and get them the care that they need when they return. He's trying to help out the millions of americans who have lost jobs and health care benefits as well as their home during this crisis. You may not agree with his methods, but damn, how is that so unamerican.
If you would stop this belief that everyone who doesn't agree with you is not on your side, you might find that sometimes other people have good ideas too! Because I have yet to meet a human who is ALWAYS right
anonymous 1:07, "A mirror can only reflect the image you put into it." I can reverse 100% of what you just stated towards democrats.
anonymous 1:07, "A mirror can only reflect the image you put into it." I can reverse 100% of what you just stated towards democrats.
Joe, this is why my comments apply to idealogues on the left and the right who constantly scream "Hitler, fascist, socialist, terrorist, traitor", the list goes on. We can have spirited debate without this kind of crap being thrown about.
I think everyone should take time to go to a science conference. A researcher gets up to the podium, talks about his work, and states his conclusions. Then people ask a few questions and everybody begins a factual analysis of what they see. Sometimes they conclude the guy's work is trash. Other times they find both positives and negatives. But the point is, it's all based off of evidence based statements that don't seek to hype or downplay the results. Same position I take and I wish more of our leaders would take when it comes to hashing out issues of governance.
So the old I'm rubber you're glue mentality. Thats an intelligent debate in the making.
Ah, so, not to dig up mr. Truman, No clone him, he to rough on america's enemies. We bring america to knees with sneak attack, we think. But truman show how to really bring to knees an enemy. We send hundreds of planes and he does the job right with two bombs, TWO BOMBS...ah, so!
uhh, what?
10:05
please to pardon my english. Mr. truman save lives of many brave american soldier, maybe your grandfather, by dropping 2 bomb on my treacherous, dishonorable japanese ancestors to end world war 2 in pacific theater. Japan learn lesson...no more sucker punch america! Good thing for nations cheering dishonorable muslim terrorist mr truman not president now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the only time I have agreed with you. Truman was a great, great man but I believe you are incorrect as to his mode of travel back to Missouri. He and Bess took the Train from Washington to Independence, Mo. When a newsman asked him what the first thing he did when he was free of the office of the Presidency, he said, " I took the grips up to the attic." Grips, in case you don't know, are suitcases.
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